All about the France Student Visa

One of the best countries to study abroad, France offers education programs that have been subsidized by the Government of France for International students. In addition, France ranks sixth in terms of domestic spending on research and development, globally.

The good news is, France comes under the Schengen Zone, which is a group of 26 European countries who have abolished their boundaries to promote free and unrestricted travel among them. Getting a Schengen visa would allow the visa holder to travel to any of the 26 Schengen countries which include France, Italy, Germany, Spain and Switzerland.

Getting a French Visa for study purposes has its own intricacies. Let’s look at some France Study Visa Requirements, which will surely benefit students aiming to study abroad in France.

Age: It is mandatory for the student to be over 18 years of age.

Duration specific: For course exceeding 6 months, a long-stay visa is issued which is equivalent to a residence permit. It will be subjected to further formalities on arrival in France.

Application: Student can apply upto 13 months before arrival date in France and the latest date to apply is 15 working days prior to departure for a France student Visa. The form can be filled electronically and then a printed copy is to be carried for the visa interview.

Post Application: The two important tasks to be done post applying are; booking an appointment and collecting the essential documents to be presented.

Appointments need to be booked for:

1.     The Academic Interview

2.     The VFS-France Interview

Documents to be presented: The following documents are required for Indian nationals:

1.     A passport that must be valid at least for three months after duration of stay in France.

2.     A national ID card or a permit of residence.

3.     A cover letter that demonstrates the purpose of stay in France.

4.     Proof of accommodation

Proof of Financial Status: The French consulate demands proof of financial competence, which demonstrates that you can support yourself financially throughout the period of stay, complying with the standard of living of the country. The stipulated amount that is to be shown is 120 Euros per day. This is inclusive of the amount required for accommodation.

The Academic Interview: It is conducted in person, with Campus-France Advisor. It includes questions asked about university program chosen and reason for choosing France as a study destination.

Visa Interview: The interview process doesn’t just involve document presentation and cross questioning. It is an interaction between the student and the visa official of the representative country, where the officer aims to determine whether the candidate is actually worth giving a visa. It is only when the Visa officer is satisfied, the France Student Visa is granted. In-depth questions determining the candidate’s intentions are asked, which may include personal ones. This is aimed to make absolutely certain that the student is not prone to illegal activities and that he returns to his own country within the visa expiration time. 

Looking at all the advantages that France has to offer, the prospective student actively seeks to secure an admit in one of the top programs offered at highly ranked universities. With such a wealth of courses to choose from, and multiple University options, it is advisable to avail the services of the best study abroad consultants. They also provide expert guidance on Student Visa Requirements and overseas education loans; making the overseas education journey a smooth process. 

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